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ARW to ICNS Converter

Convert ARW images to ICNS online in seconds - free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Batch convert up to 30 files and download them together as a ZIP.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • No watermark
  • Private by design

Image Converter

How to use it

  1. 1

    Drop your ARW files onto the converter

  2. 2

    Press Convert to turn them into ICNS

  3. 3

    Download your ICNS images one by one or as a ZIP

ARW to ICNS

Why convert ARW to ICNS?

The main difference: ARW is an unprocessed sensor data format, while ICNS is a lossless format. ICNS can have a transparent background, ARW can't.

Develop RAW into a ready-to-use photo

A ARW file holds the raw readings from the camera sensor, not a finished picture. Converting it to ICNS applies the camera's colors and gives you a normal photo you can share, print or post right away.

Supports transparent backgrounds

ICNS can hold a transparent background. Convert your image first, then cut out the background or place it on top of other designs.

ARW vs ICNS: what's the difference?

PropertyARWICNS
Compression typeUnprocessed sensor dataLossless (exact pixels, larger files)
Transparent backgroundNoYes
AnimationNoNo
Where it opensNone (needs a RAW editor)None (macOS icon format)
Used forStraight-from-camera photos for editingmacOS app icons

What is an ARW (camera RAW) file?

ARW is the camera RAW format of Sony - Alpha mirrorless and DSLR cameras and Cyber-shot compacts. Instead of a finished photo, a RAW file stores the unprocessed data straight from the camera's sensor.

That gives photographers maximum room to adjust exposure, white balance and color afterwards, but RAW files are large (often 20-60 MB) and need special software to view. Converting to JPG produces a normal photo you can share right away.

How to open an ARW (camera RAW) file

Sony Imaging Edge opens ARW files, and Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop (Camera Raw), Capture One, darktable and RawTherapee support them too. Mac Photos and Preview open most RAW formats; on Windows, the free Raw Image Extension adds support to the Photos app. Without any of these, convert ARW to JPG online.

Extension
.arw
Made by
Sony cameras
Contains
Unprocessed sensor data
Best for
Editing straight-from-camera photos

What is an ICNS file?

ICNS is Apple's icon format for macOS apps. Like ICO on Windows, one file bundles the same icon in several sizes - from 16 × 16 up to 1024 × 1024 pixels - so it looks crisp in the Dock, Finder and on Retina displays.

Developers need ICNS when packaging a Mac application. For websites and Windows, use ICO or PNG instead.

How to open an ICNS file

Mac Preview opens ICNS files and shows every size inside. Xcode and icon tools create them. Windows can't open ICNS without extra software - convert it to PNG to view it there.

Extension
.icns
Sizes
16 to 1024 px in one file
Transparency
Yes
Best for
macOS app icons

ARW to ICNS

ARW to ICNS FAQ

Drag your ARW files onto the converter at the top of this page and press Convert. Download each ICNS on its own or grab them all in one ZIP - no software, no account.